If you have a loved one that is in need of an assisted living facility, then you will need to be careful about which facility you choose. Not all will offer the services that you are looking for, so there are some key details that you should pay attention to when comparing different facilities.
Observe and Ask About Social Events
One of the most important elements of choosing from different assisted living facilities is the social aspect. The elderly are often limited in how much social exposure they have access to. Therefore, you want to find a facility that offers a variety of engaging events that appeal to the interests of your loved one.
While you can research these things online, the best option is always to observe first hand. Ask the facility about event hours and whether or not you can visit for observational purposes, although you will likely want to visit for a variety of other reasons as well. It's a good idea to bring your loved one so that they feel involved in the process and so that they can have input on their future.
Look Into Nutrition and Food
Secondly, you want to make sure that your facility offers a good variety of high quality food. The elderly often don't get the nutrition that they need, either because they don't have easy access to certain ingredients or because they can't prepare the food themselves. Assisted living facilities can rectify both of these problems, but you should personally check to see whether they live up to your expectations.
More importantly, they should meet the standards of your loved one, since they are the one who will be eating that food. Many facilities will allow you to take a meal there, which can give you a decent idea of how good the food is. Figuring out whether a facility can meet the nutritional needs of your loved one can be a bit more more tricky, but the administrative staff should be happy to discuss such things with you.
Pay Attention to Atmosphere
You want to make sure that your facility has the perfect atmosphere for your loved one. For this, you will definitely need to visit the facility. In many cases, this will mean a friendly staff, warm lighting, good food, and frequent social events. Again, it is much more important that your loved one witnesses this atmosphere, as opposed to you. Even if they don't seem immediately enamored with the thought of an assisted living facility, their happiness should be your primary concern.